Universal camera flash sensor bracket

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket featuring a light sensing device is detachably securable to both a camera and a flash unit. A flash control signal is transmitted from the camera to the bracket through a first two wire electrical connection, and thence to the flash unit through a second two wire electrical connection, to effect the operation of the flash unit whereby to illuminate a scene being photographed. The second electrical connection is selectively extendable from, and ordinarily housed within, the bracket. A second signal representative of the operation of the flash unit is transmitted from the flash unit through the second electrical connection to a light sensing circuit, included within one embodiment of the mounting bracket, to activate a light sensing device which, in turn, monitors light received from the scene being photographed and generates a quench signal upon detection of a predetermined amount of the received light. The quench signal is transmitted to the flash unit through the second electrical connection for effectively terminating the illumination of the scene being photographed.

United States Patent Peterson et al.

Aug. 7, 1973 Neukirchner, Lakewood, both of Colo.

[73] Assignee: Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

[22 Filed: July 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 166,860

[52] US. Cl. 240/13, 95/10 CE, 95/86 [51] Int. Cl. G03 15/02 [58] Fieldof Search 240/13; 95/10 CE, 95/11 R, 11 L, 11.5 R, 86; 74/404, 416, 417

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 944,915 12/1909 Sabbag74/417 X 2,898,447 8/1959 Hanlon 240/13 3,353,465 11/1967 Peterson etal... 240/13 X 2,644,381 7/1953 Mendelsohn 95/1 1.5 R 3,614,918 10/1971Hennig et al. 240/13 X 2,721,929 10/1955 Schwartz et al. 240/131,060,597 5/1913 Holzmark 74/404 X 2,972,673 2/1961 Graef 95/1 1.5 R XPrimary Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney-Arthur H. Swanson et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A mounting bracket featuring a light sensing device isdetachably securable to both a camera and a flash unit. A flash controlsignal is transmitted from the camera to the bracket through a first twowire electrical connection, and thence to the flash unit through asecond two wire electrical connection, to effect the operation of theflash unit whereby to illuminate a scene being photographed. The secondelectrical connection is selectively extendable from, and ordinarilyhoused within, the bracket. A second signal representative of theoperation of the flash unit is transmitted from the flash unit throughthe second electrical connection to a light sensing circuit, includedwithin one embodiment of the mounting bracket, to activate a lightsensing device which, in turn, monitors light received from the scenebeing photographed and generates a quench signal upon detection of apredetermined amount of the received light. The quench signal istransmitted to the flash unit through the second electrical connectionfor effectively terminating the illumination of the scene beingphotographed.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 7, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR5 DEAN M. PETERS on PETER H NEUKIRCHNER BY i Patented Aug. 7,1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS DEAN M. PETERSON PETER H- NEUKIRCHNERPatented Aug. 7, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

INVENTORS DEAN M- PETERSON PETER H-NEUKIRCHNER Patented Aug. 7, 1973 I 4Sheets-Sheet 4 UNIVERSAL CAMERA FLASH SENSOR BRACKET Subject matterdisclosed but not claimed herein, is disclosed and claimed in aco-pending application of Francis T. Ogawa, Ser. No. 108,876, filed Jan.22, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,714,443, and copending applications Ser.Nos. 262,018 and 262,019, both filed jointly by Dean M. Peterson andPeter T. Quinn on June [2, 1972.

The present invention relates generally to photographic apparatus andmore particularly to an unique bracket means on which a camera means anda flash unit may be detachably mounted, and which features a lightsensing means for use in computer-flash systems.

In prior art photographic systems, mounting brackets have been providedwhich are adapted to receive a camera means and a flash unit therebyfurnishing a unitary picture taking combination. When indirect lightingis desired, the flash unit may be detached from the bracket. In some ofthose systems however, there is no provision for managing themulti-conductor cord connecting the flash unit with the camera unit. Asa result, the combination is difficult to handle when taking a picturebecause of the long cable connecting the flash unit with the cameraunit. Some flash units have been provided which include a housing forenclosing a coiled cord which electrically connects the flash unit withthe camera. Those flash units inhere an additionaldisadvantage in thatthe flash unit necessarily becomes more bulky and hard to handle when acord housing is included therein. I

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aphotographic system which obviates the disadvantages of the prior artsystems.

It is another object of the presentinvention to provide an improvedmounting bracket which is detachably connectable to a camera and a flashunit to form an easily manageable combination picture taking apparatus,and which includes means for housing a coiled cord electricallyconnecting the flash unit with the bracket and camera.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bracketas set forth, with which a standard flash unit may be used, the flashunit being quickly detachable therefrom without releasing cumbersomeelectrical cables.

In computer type photographic systems, a flash unit is selectivelyoperable to furnish illumination for a scene to be photographed. A lightsensing means detects light received from that scene and generates aquench signal to terminate the illumination furnished by the flash unit.Generally, the light sensing means is affixed to either the camera orthe flash unit. Each arrangement has distinct advantages. In the pasthowever, with a given camera and flash unit, a photographer has not beenable to selectively attach the light sensor to either the camera orflash unit whereby, selectively, to obtain the advantages of botharrangements.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate theforegoing disadvantages of prior art computer-type photographic systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mountingbracket which is selectively attachable to either a camera or a flashunit of given photographic system, or both, and which includes therein alight sensing means.

It accomplishing these and other objects there has been provided, inaccordance with the present invention a bracket means which isdetachably securable to both a camera means and a flash unit to form acombination picture taking apparatus. The flash unit or the camera meansmay be detached from the bracket thereby permitting the bracket toremain mounted on the camera or the flash unit, respectively, whiletaking a picture. The bracket means includes means for housing andconcealing a coiled cord which electrically interconnects the flash unitwith the bracket and the camera. In one embodiment, the bracket featuresa light sensing means for use in a computer-flash photographic system.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from thefollowing detailed description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit for use with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flash device detached from themounting bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flash device joined with the mountingbracket of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a mounting bracket of thepresent invention featuring a light sensing means included therein. a

FIG. 5 is a cross sectionof the mounting bracket of FIG. 2.

Referring in more detail to FIG. I, there is shown a flash circuit Iwhich includes a capacitor 2, connected between two terminals 3 and 7.The two terminals 3 and 7 are connected to the usual capacitor chargingmeans which are not shown in FIG. 1. Such capacitor charging means arewell known in the art and it is sufficient to say that the capacitor 2is normally maintained in the charged state by the aforementionedcapacitor charging means whereby a relatively high voltage is maintainedacross the capacitor 2. The high voltage terminal 3 is connected to abus 6; the terminal 7 is connected to a common bus 8. A light triggeringterminal 5 of a flash tube 4 is coupled through a transformer T1 to oneterminal of a capacitor 10. The other terminal of the capacitor 10 isconnected to the anode terminal of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)15. The common terminal of the transformer T1 is connected to the bus 8.A light terminating or quench tube 12 is shown connected between the bus6 and the bus 8. A triggering terminal 13 is connected through atransformer T2 to one terminal of a capacitor 14. The other terminal ofthe capacitor 14 is connected to the anode terminal of a second SCR 16.The common terminal of the transformer T2 is connected to a bus 17.

The capacitor 18 connects the bus 6 with the bus 17. The bus 17 isconnected to the anode of a zener diode 19. The cathode terminal of thezener diode I9 is connected to a common point between the base terminalof an NPN transistor 20 and the cathode terminal of a diode 21. Theanode terminal of the diode 21 is connected to the common bus 8. Thecollector terminal of the transistor 20 is connected to a resistor 22 tothe anode terminal of the SCR IS. The bus 6 is connected to the anodeterminal of the SCR [5 through a resistor 23. The gate terminal of theSCR I5 is connected to the collector terminal of the transistor 20; thecathode terminal of the SCR 15 is connected to the common bus 8. Theemitter terminal of the transistor 20 is also connected to the commonbus 8. An input terminal 24 of the flash circuit 1 is connected to thebus 17, and the other input terminal 25 of the flash circuit 1 isconnected to the common bus 8. The bus 17 is connected to the emitterterminal of an NPN transistor 26. The base terminal of the transistor 26is connected through a capacitor 27 to a common bus 8. The base terminalof the transistor 26 is connected through a resistor 28 to the highvoltage bus 6. The collector terminal of the transistor 26 is connectedthrough two resistors 29 and 30 to the high voltage bus 6. The commonpoint between the two resistors 29 and 30 is connected to the anodeterminal of the SCR 16. The gate terminal of the SCR 16 is connected tothe collector terminal of the transistor 26 and the cathode terminal ofthe SCR 16 is connected to the bus 17. A light sensing circuit 31 has apair of first terminals 32 and 33. The input terminal 32 is connecteddirectly to one terminal 34 of a pair of second terminals 34 and 35. Theother input terminal 33 is connected through the cathode to anode pathof a diode 36 to the other terminal 35 of the second terminals. Theinput terminals 32 and 33 may be connected externally to a shutterswitch S of an associated camera. The input terminal 32 is connectedthrough the anode to cathode path of a diode or gating means 37 to theanode terminal of a light responsive means or light activated siliconcontrolled rectifier (LASCR) 38.

The anode terminal of the LASCR 38 is also connected through tworesistors 39 and 40 to the terminal 35 of the second terminals. Theresistor 40 has a slider 41 connected to a junction point 42. The point42 is connected to the cathode terminal of the LASCR 38 and also througha capacitor 43 to the terminal 35.

The gate terminal of the LASCR 38 is connected through the seriesconnection of a capacitor 44 and a resistor 45 to the terminal 35. Theanode terminal of a zener diode 46 is connected to the terminal 35 andits cathode terminal is connected to the anode terminal of the LASCR 38.The second terminal 34 and 35 of the light sensing circuit 31 areconnected to input terminals 24 and 25 of the flash circuit 1.

In operation the capacitor of the flash circuit 1 is charged from thehigh voltage bus 6 through the resistor 23. The capacitor 14 of theflash circuit 1 is similarly charged from the high voltage bus 6 throughthe resistor 30. The transistor 26 is so biased that it is ordinarilyconducting in a steady state condition. The transistor 20 is similarlyso biased that it is ordinarily conducting. With the transistor 26conducting, the gate terminal of the SCR 16 is effectively clamped toits cathode terminal and is therefore nonconductive. Similarly, with thetransistor 20 conducting, the gate terminal of the SCR is effectivelyclamped to its cathode terminal thereby precluding conduction. When aswitching means, for example the shutter switch S of an associatedcamera, provides a contact closure between the input terminals 32 and 33of the light sensing circuit 31, a current flows from the bus 17 thruthe diode 36 to the bus 8. At that time, the LASCR 38 will be disabledsince the diode 37is reversed biased. The voltage on the bus 17decreases since a lower resistance path (diode 36) is present betweenthe buses 17 and 8, than was present when the switch S was open (zenerdiode 19 and base emitter path of transistor The lower voltage on thebus 17 with respect to the bus 8 will cause the transistor 20 to turnoff. With the transistor 20 nonconducting, a current will flow throughthe resistor 22 and into the gate terminal of the SCR 15, therebyrendering it conductive. With the SCR 15 conducting, that relatively lowresistance path rapidly discharges the capacitor 10, thereby triggeringconduction through the flash tube 4. As the flash tube 4 begins toconduct, the voltage on the bus 6 is suddenly reduced as the charge onthe capacitor 2 is dumped through the flash tube 4. The sudden voltagedecrease of the high voltage decrease of the high voltage bus 6 iscoupled through the capacitor 18 to the bus 17. That coupling actioncausing the voltage on the bus 17 to suddenly decrease to a negativevalue with respect to that voltage present on the bus 8. That relativelynegative voltage level on the bus 17 is coupled to the light sensingcircuit 31 through the terminals 24 and 25.

When the voltage at the output terminal 35 of the light sensing circuit31 is positive with respect with the voltage appearing at the outputterminal 34, the gating means for diode 37 will prevent conductionthrough the light sensing circuit since it is then reverse biased.However, as is now apparent, when the flash tube 4 be gins to conduct,the voltage at the output terminal 34 of the light sensing circuit 31becomes positive with respect to the voltage appearing at the outputterminal 35, and the gating means or diode 37 will become forward biasedand allow a current to flow therethrough. The diode 36 will be reversebiased thereby effectively disconnecting the switching means S from thelight sensing circuit 31.

The current flowing through the diode 37, flows through the resistors 39and 40. That current establishes a voltage at the anode of the LASCR 38which effectively powers or enables the light responsive means or LASCR38. The time interval between the activation of the switching means Sconnecting the input terminals 32 and 33 of the light sensing circuit31, and the powering of the LASCR 38, is relatively short; thereforeonly momentary contact is required from the switching means S for theproper operation of the system. A portion of the current flowing throughthe resistor 39, flows through the slider 41 and begins to charge thecapacitor 43. When the LASCR 38 is enabled, a sensor signal or currentrepresentative of the amount of light received thereby, flows throughits gate tenninal to the integrating capacitor 44 and the anticipationresistor 45. The function of the anticipation resistor 45 is fullyexplained in US. Pat. No. 3,519,879. When the voltage stored by theintegrating capacitor 44 as biased by the anticipation resistor 45,exceeds the voltage representative of the charge stored on the dynamicanticipation capacitor 43, the LASCR 38 becomes conductive, therebyproviding a low resistance path and an associated potential differencedecrease between the output terminals 34 and 35, and consequentlybetween the bus 17 and the bus 8. That potential difference decrease iscoupled through the capacitor 27 to the base terminal of the transistor26, thereby causing the transistor 26 to turn off. With the transistor26 nonconducting, a current will flow into the gate terminal of the SCR16 thereby rendering it conductive. When the SCR 16 becomes conductive,a lower resistance path is presented to the capacitor 14 of the flashcircuit 1 causing the capacitor 14 to dump its charge therethrough. Thataction induces a triggering signal to appear at the quench tubetriggering terminal 13, thereby initiating conduction in the quench tube12. The rapid discharge of the capacitor 14 produces a ringing action tothe circuit comprising the capacitor 14, the SCR 16, and the transformerT2. That ringing actions is effective to turn off the SCR after thequench tube triggering signal has been provided. The quench tube 12 hasa much lower conducting resistance than the flash tube 4. After thequench tube 12 fires, the charge stored on the capacitor 2 of the flashunit 1 will rapidly dissipate to a point where the voltage on the bus 6is insufficient to support ionization in either the quench tube 12 orthe flash tube 4. Consequently, both tubes 12 and 4 will'turn off. The

charging circuit connected to the terminals 3 and 7 of the flash unit 1will then begin to recharge the capacitor 2. The voltage appearing atthe bus 6 will build up to a value sufficient to restore the biasingvoltage required to turn the transistors 26 and on, and the circuitshown in FIG. 1 will be returned to its ready condition to await theinitiation of another cycle. The circuit just described is shown andclaimed in the hereinbefore mentioned Ogawa application. While thecircuit, per se, does not form a part of the present invention, thedescription thereof is included herein for the purpose of laying aproper environmental foundation for the structure of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a flash device 47 including a handle 48. The handle 48 hasa support 50 attached thereto by means of a cylindrical clip 52. Thecylindrical'clip 52 may be removed from the handle 48 by sliding theclip 52 down the handle 48. Secured to the support 50 is a male typeconnector 54. The connector 54 has retractable bosses 56 spring biasedinto a position protruding therefrom on both sides of the connector 54.A depressable button 58 is selectively operable for retracting. theprotruding bosses 56 from extending beyond the side portions of theconnector 54. One end portion of a mounting bracket 60 defines a recess62 for receiv ing a major portion of the male type connector 54. Thebracket 60 also includes locking holes 64for engaging the bosses 56. Theflash unit 47 may be joined with the bracket 60 by depressing thebuttons 58 whereupon the bosses 56 become depressed within the sidewalls of the connector 54. The connector 54 may then be inserted withinthe recess 62 of the bracket 60 until the bosses 56 are aligned with thelock holes 64 of the bracket 60. The button 58 may then be released,whereupon the bosses 56 are returned to their protruding position,extending into the lock holes 64 and locking the flash device 47 withthe bracket 60 as shown in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that theleading edges of the bosses 56 may be so bevelled that the mereengagement of those bosses with the side walls of the recess 62 cams thebosses into their depressed position until they are in alignment withthe slots 64, whereupon they snap into locking engagement therewith. A-coiled cord 66 provides an electrical connection between the bracket 60and the flash device 47. The coiled cord 66 may be mechanically securedwithin the support 50 in order to limit the strain on that cord when theflash device 47 is detached from the bracket 60.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the bracket 60 featuring alight sensing means 68. In the present example the light sensing means68 of FIG. 4 may include the light sensing circuit 31 0f FIG. 1. Thecable 70 may include the electrical conductors connected to the fourterminals 32, 33, 34 and 35 of the light sensing circuit 31 which isincluded in the light sensing means 68.

The bracket 60 generally includes a base 72 and a cover 74. The cover 74has affixed thereto a pad 76 for cushioning the base of an associatedcamera (not shown). The bracket base 72 includes a housing 78 whichhouses the coiled cord 66. The housing 78 has a wiring channel 80 withinwhich the cable is placed. The cable 70 runs within the wiring channelfrom the light sensing means 68 to the end of the base 72 opposite theend which may be connected to the flash device 47. The cable 70 is thendivided into the coiled cord 66 and a second cable 82. The coiled cord66 extends through the housing 78 to the flash device 47, while thesecond cable 82 runs back through the wiring channel 80 and out throughthe bracket cover 74 to an electrical connector 84 which may beconnected to an associated camera means which may be on the bracket 60as by the threaded connector 96. The flash circuit 1 of FIG. 1 may beincluded in the flash device 47 of FIGS. 2 and 3, in which case thecoiled cord 66 would correspond to the electrical connections betweenthe terminals 34 and 35 of the sensing circuit 31 and the terminals 24and 35 of the flash circuit 1 of FIG. 1. As hereinbefore mentioned, thelight sensing circuit 31 of FIG. 1 may be included within the lightsensing means 68 of FIG. 4, in which case the cable 82 would correspondto the electrical connections between the terminals 32. and 33 of thelight sensing circuit 31, and the shutter switch 5" of an associatedcamera. Considering the light sensing circuit 31 to be included withinthe light sensing means 68, the LASCR 38 would receive light from ascene being photographed through a lens means 86 of the light sensingmeans 68. A thumbwheel 88 is connected to the threaded connection'means96 through a coupling means which is most clearly shown in FIG. 5. Thecoupling means of the present example includes three transition means asembodied in three engaging gear means 90, 92, and 94. The driving meansor thumbwheel 88 is coupled to the first gear means 90. The first gearmeans 90 engages the second gear means 92 which is mounted in a planeperpendicular to that of the first gear means 90. The second gear means92 engage the third gear means 94. The third gear means. 94 lies in aplane which is perpendicular to the second gear means 92, and parallelto the first gear means 90. The third gear means is coupled to thethreaded screw type connection means 96 which is, in turn, designed toengage with a compatible threaded tripod mounting recess common to mostcameras. The walls of the housing 78 define a cavity as shown in FIG. 5which is effectively avoided by the coupling means comprising the first,second, and third transition or gear means, thereby allowing the coiledcord 66 to extend therethrough. That is a desired feature since itallows extension of the coiled cable 66 without pulling the bracket 60and an attached camera (not shown) to one side or the other of the lineof sight to the scene being photographed as would be the case if thecoiled cord 66 extended to one side or the other of the point ofconnection between the bracket 60 and a camera mounted thereon. Thearrangement of the various gear means of FIG. 5 also provides for amaximum extension of the coiled cable 66 throughout the entire housingmeans 78.

With the threaded connection means 96 engaging the threaded tripodmounting recess of a camera means, and the connector 54 of the flashunit 47 secured and locked within the recess 62 of the bracket 60, acombination unit is provided which includes a camera, a sensing means,and a flash unit. Selectively, a photographer may detach the flash unit47 from the bracket 60 in order to indirectly light a scene beingphotographed. In that case the sensing means is effectively mounted onthe camera. The flash unit is readily reattached to the mounting bracket60 and the coiled cord 66 is spring returned by its coiled arrangementwithin the housing 78 of the bracket 60. Similarly, the camera may bedetached from the mounting bracket 60 in which case the light sensingmeans'68 would remain in physical proximity to the flash unit 47.Additionally, both the camera and the flash unit may be readily detachedfrom the bracket 60, at the same time, thereby permitting film exposure,light sensing, and light furnishing operations to take place atdifferent physical locations with respect to each other.

Thus, there has been provided a mounting bracket which may be readilyattached to, or detached from, both a camera and a flash unit. Thebracket features a light sensing means for computer flashed operationwhich requires only a two conductor connection to the flash unit. Thebracket also includes a housing for a coiled cable which provides thetwo conductor electrical connection between the flash unit and thebracket and camera means. The bracket further includes a uniqueconnection means whereby a connecting force may be transmitted through ahollow member without obstructing that member.

The embodiments of the invention of which an exclusive property orprivilage is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A mounting bracket means for use in a photographic system wherein aflash unit is selectively actuable to furnish illumination for a sceneto be photographed by an associated camerameans, said mounting bracketmeans comprising:

a bodymember, said body member including means defining a recess withinsaid body member;

an extendable coiled cord within said recess, said extendable coiledcord being secured near a first end thereof to one end of said bodymember, said coiled cord having a first terminal means at said first endthereof, said first terminal means being arranged for connection to saidcamera means;

first mechanical coupling means selectively operable for coupling saidbody member to said camera means independently of the connectionprovidable through said first terminal means;

second mechanical coupling means including a support member;

a quick disconnect device connecting said body member and said secondmechanical coupling means, said second mechanical coupling means beingarranged to be attached to said flash unit, said coiled cord beingsecured near a second end thereof to said support member of said secondmechanical coupling means, said coiled cord having a second terminalmeans at said second end thereof, said second terminal means beingarranged for connection to said flash unit independently of the couplingprovided through said second mechanical coupling means, said coiled cordproviding the only electrical connection between said camera means andsaid flash unit, said quick disconnect device being selectively operableto disconnect said second mechanical coupling means from said bodymember for allowing said flash unit, with said second mechanicalcoupling means attached thereto, to be moved independently of said bodymember of said mounting bracket means by variably extending said coiledcord.

2. The mounting bracket means as set forth in claim 1 and furtherincluding a light sensing means mounted on said mountingbracket means,said light sensing means being electrically connected between said firstand second terminal means, said light sensing means being operable tosense light received from said scene to be photographed and to generatea quench signal upon receipt of a predetermined amount of said light,said quench signal being applied to said second terminal means fortransmission to said flash unit whereby to effectively terminate saidillumination furnished by said flash unit.

1. A mounting bracket means for use in a photographic system wherein aflash unit is selectively actuable to furnish illumination for a sceneto be photographed by an associated camera means, said mounting bracketmeans comprising: a body member, said body member including meansdefining a recess within said body member; an extendable coiled cordwithin said recess, said extendable coiled cord being secured near afirst end thereof to one end of said body member, said coiled cordhaving a first terminal means at said first end thereof, said firstterminal means being arranged for connection to said camera means; firstmechanical coupling means selectively operable for coupling said bodymember to said camera means independently of the connection providablethrough said first terminal means; second mechanical coupling meansincluding a support member; a quick disconnect device connecting saidbody member and said second mechanical coupling means, said secondmechanical coupling means being arranged to be attached to said flashunit, said coiled cord being secured near a second end thereof to saidsupport member of said second mechanical coupling means, said coiledcord having a second terminal means at said second end thereof, saidsecond terminal means being arranged for connection to said flash unitindependently of the coupling provided through said second mechanicalcoupling means, said coiled cord providing the only electricalconnection between said camera means and said flash unit, said quickdisconnect device being selectively operable to disconnect said secondmechanical coupling means from said body member for allowing said flashunit, with said second mechanical coupling means attached thereto, to bemoved independently of said body member of said mounting bracket meansby variably extending said coiled cord.
 2. The mounting bracket means asset forth in claim 1 and further including a light sensing means mountedon said mounting bracket means, said light sensing means beingelectrically connected between said first and second terminal means,said light sensing means being operable to sense light received fromsaid scene to be photographed and to generate a quench signal uponreceipt of a predetermined amount of said light, said quench signalbeing applied to said second terminal means for transmission to saidflash unit whereby to effectively terminate said illumination furnishedby said flash unit.